Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-04-02

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then;" looking around on her own eager
eyed offspring, "children never can realize
the awfulness of death"
They walked solemn1y into the parlor,
the door of which Johnny had proudly
thrown open, and seating themselves in
black row against the wall, rigidly
awaited the appearance of one of the
family.
ats mighty strange that the coffin
isn't in here" whispered Miss Bates
"And such show of fowersl All sorts
of colors, toow
81 smell cake" said Mrs. Hill.
Just then Master Johnny's voice was
distinctly heard, calling at the head of
the kitchen-stairs
"Bessl l say, Bess! Here's lot of
folks come to the circusm
''Gracious goodness" said Mrs. Cole.
''Did you ever?" whispered Mrs. Hill.
And the two young Coles suppressed a
giggle.
Presently Master Tommy came skipping
back.
81 told 'em," he announced, briefly.
"Gran'mas coming now.n
A little stir as the ladies settled them
selves primly in their seats.
''Be quiet now!" whispered Mrs. Cole
to her daughter. "They're bringing in
the coffin"
The door opened, and there entered a
portly, pleasant-faced old lady, who smil-
ingly held out her hand to the visitors.
They all simultaneously started to their
feet, with various amazed exclamations:
"Why, the lands sake!"
tIHave mercy on u.s."
"Why Mrs. Cole"
The old lady stopped short, looking al
most as surprised and bewildered as the
visitors
A dead silence ensued, then all looked
from Mrs. Cole at each other.
'It seems there has been a mistake, :"
said Mr.. John Cole, who at this instant
opportunely entered, having stopped
outside to fasten his horses.
His wife nudged him, but he was be-
yond controlling his feelings at this mo-
ment, and bursting into laugh, he seized
the old lady's hands in both his own.
81 declare, Cousin Cole. I'm delighted
to see you looking so well-never saw you
looking better in my life. And to think
-ha, ha, ha!-to think we've all come fif-
teen miles to your funeral"
''To Bessie's wedding, you meanw said
the old lady, still looking bewildered.
Wedding Is Bessie going to be mar
ried2"
And then, perforce, there were expla-
nations, to the great modification of the
visitors and the greater amusement of the
old lady.
As to Master Tommy, his delight knew
no bounds, and he dashed into the yard
and fairly rolled on the grass in his con-
vulsive merriment.
CHOW that you have so kindly come to
my funeral" said the old lady, smilingly,
''you must of course stay to the wedding
1t was kept a secret till yesterday, and
there'll be only few relatives and inti-
mate friends-nobody invited out of
town. But we will be glad to have you
stay"
And they did stay, being so Hospitality
pressed by the family, Mrs. John Cole
consoling herself with the thought of the
cake and fruit that she had brought along
"a suitable offering for wedding.
And that evening, by bright moon
light, the funeral procession that had in
the morning lugubriously entered Barn
vile drove gaily away from the wedding,
and all the way homeward indulged in
reflections upon the gossipping folks who,
out of slight cold and fever, could have
made up a story of death and funeral
Saturday Night